IN THE SPOTLIGHT: EAST-WEST ART AWARD COMPETITION

Entry Deadline: 10/07/2014
1 Day to go!

Background & History of EWAAC
This is the fifth year of EWAA competition organised by the East West Artists and Culture Club. Established in 1996 and based in London, on EWACC was originally created to provide support for artists from both Japan and in the UK. However, EWACC has been successful in attracting artists, not only from the Far East and South-East Asia, but also from Europe and the USA.The EWAA competition was launched in 2010 and since then it has been expanding rapidly every year. This year we are anticipating a tremendous response from new artist of many nationalities, presenting a great diversity of high-quality work.

Our mission is:

1. To provide an annual opportunity for artists and film-makers to present their work and show their talent. This year a Fashion category has also been added.

2. To promote, through the appreciation of art, cross-cultural relationships between artists in the East and West

More than just an Open Exhibition
All finalists will be invited to exhibit their artwork at La Galleria, London. Also, if you enter 3 artwork or more you will receive a free profile page for one year, click here for more details. You are also eligible for a residency prize in Tokyo if you enter (fees will be subsidised for the Grand Prize Winner) and have a chance to rent a flat in Tokyo for a subsidised rate.As well as having your work displayed in a prestigious gallery in the centre of London, all of these prizes and awards are up for grabs if you are selected:

Grand Prize – £2000 or £1000 + Artist in Residence in Kyoto for 1-3 weeks
Best in Category Prize x7 – £100
Nikon Prize for Photography – Nikon D3300 with 18-55mm f3.5/5.6G VR11 lens
Suwa-Garasuno-Sato Prize for Best Glass Work – £180 + exhibition and sold in Suwa, Japan
Runner-Up Category Prize x7 – Certificate of Merit
Raymond Brownell Prize – Certificate of Merit
Best Student Prize – £100
Encouragement Prize – Certificate of Merit

Can I enter?
• All applicants must be artists or art students over the age of 18 and based in the Far East, South-East Asia, Europe, USA or South America.
• There is no theme – so any subject matter is allowed. Discover all of the mediums that are accepted for the competition here.
• Work should have been produced in the last five years and not yet been awarded any prizes.

The Next Steps?
For more details about EWAA please visit: www.ewaac.com/index.html
If you would like to enter you can find the Registration form here.
Any questions you might have can be directed towards: infomail@ewaac.com or alternatively see FAQs.

I’ve arranged a special discount for anyone who hears about EWAAC through OE. 

If you enter 3 or more works you will get a £10 discount on the entry fee. If you enter 1 or 2 works, you will get a £5 discount. There is no discount on optional fees such as translation.

In order to get the discount complete the registration form found here: http://www.ewaac.com/registration/form.html

Be sure to write the following in the comment box on the bottom of the form as shown below.

“Intro by Kathryn Cork Street”

The deadline is tomorrow: Thursday 10 July.
Best of luck if you decided to enter!

Exclusive Artist Opportunity: East West Art Award Competition

I was recently contacted by Ken Morita who founded the East West Art Award Competition five years ago. We met in 2011 during the Cork Street Open Exhibition. So many of the experiences we have and people we meet seem unrelated in the moment, yet end up leading to future collaborations, I think this might be the case with Ken and I.

Anyway, if you are reading this then you already know that I believe juried competitions and open exhibitions are a great way to build your CV and gain exposure for your artwork. Whether or not Ken and I work together in the future, I wanted to tell you about a special offer for the 2014 East West Art Award Competition that is exclusively for artists on my mailing list.

The 5th Annual East West Art Award Competition will take place this October in London at La Galleria Pall Mall. That may seem a long way off, but the entry deadline is right around the corner, having just been extended to July 10th!

The contest is open to artists from the East and West (obviously, as the name implies) but even if your not interested in the amazing residency in Japan that is an option for selected winners, the chance to have your artwork included in the London exhibition is a great opportunity.

I found the website a bit hard to navigate (and even more text based than CSO) but I think it’s worth participating in, and I’ve arranged a special discount for anyone who hears about EWAAC through OE. 

If you enter 3 or more works you will get a £10 discount on the entry fee. If you enter 1 or 2 works, you will get a £5 discount. There is no discount on optional fees such as translation.

Click this link to get all the details: http://www.ewaac.com/ewaac-eng-welcome.html

In order to get the discount complete the registration form found here: http://www.ewaac.com/registration/form.html

Use the Entry Fees drop down menu to select your fee which you also enter in the My Entry Fee space lower on the form, add any options that you want and then subtract the discount amount, either £5 or £10, and enter the Grand Total due.

Be sure to write the following in the comment box on the bottom of the form as shown below.

“Intro by Kathryn Cork Street”

Good luck with your entry, I hope to see your artwork in London this October.

Best Wishes,

Kathryn Roberts

Artist of the Month: Caro Sweet

CARO SWEET

Caro Sweet – Flight

Bronze, 74 x 62 x 47 cm

Caro recently became the Grand Prize Winner of Art Has No Borders latest competition: 101 Artworks featuring the Animal Kingdom. Unlike, some other open competitions which stage physical exhibitions, Art Has No Borders culminates in digital publications that are available to download to iPads and Macs on Apple’s iBooks. iArtBooks are an innovative way to get your artwork seen all over the world as iBooks currently distributes to 51 territories worldwide.

Caro’s sculptures attracted the judges eye because of their accomplished technique, the unusual abstraction of an animal subject matter and the striking visual image she is able to create with her material of bronze.

Discover more of Caro’s beautiful, figurative sculpture made from bronze here: www.carosweet.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: NATIONAL OPEN ART EXHIBITION

Amanda Kings is the administrator and organiser of the National Open Art Exhibition. In this month’s feature she gives us her top tips for entering not only NOA but all types of Open Exhibitions and Competitions from her years of experience.

Background & History of NOA

The National Open Art Competition (NOA) is now in its 18th year and we are going from strength to strength.  This year we will be exhibiting for 5 weeks in Somerset House from 18 September to 26 October.  We are delighted that our 2014 Artist Private View will be opened by Antony Gormley and one of our Vice Presidents Gavin Turk will also be with us.

We pride ourselves on the fact that we are very much an ‘Open’ competition, therefore we welcome entrants across a broad spectrum of abilities from the whole of the UK including Northern Ireland.  All judging is done completely anonymously and as a consequence work is judged purely on its merit.

We are a not for profit charity so all money raised from entry fees and sales are used for prize monies and putting on the annual Exhibitions at Somerset House, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, The Minerva Festival Theatre and The Works on Paper Fair, London.

We are a small dedicated team and have a very active social media, therefore we work with our artists the whole year round promoting their exhibitions and successes, so once you enter the competition we feel you become part of the NOA community.

5 Top Tips for entering Open Exhibitions

1. Read and follow all of the guidelines stated by the organisers. Every competition has specific restrictions that need to be followed. In the case of NOA – size matters! Work submitted must not exceed 183cm x 183cm x 30cm and we do take most mediums (currently not video art). However, for our competition the work must be designed to be wall hung. Every competition is different and if you read the information fully, it could save you time and money if your art is not appropriate.

2. Often, the 1st round of judging is done digitally in Open Competitions, therefore you will need to upload a photograph of your work. Ensure that the photograph doesn’t include any distracting background paraphernalia, or if it is glazed, you are not reflected in the glass taking the photo! A high resolution photograph (300 dpi) that is no larger than 2MB of your artwork will mean that your artwork can be seen to its fullest potential by the judges.

3. Think about how you sign your work – huge signatures across your work really do put the judges off.

4. It’s always good to have an idea who is judging your work and the previous winners of the competition. You cannot predict a judge’s opinion, however, it might help you to decide what piece you should be entering. Check out the judges on our home page under ‘Competition Info’.

5. Price your work sensibly. If you have presented your work in an IKEA frame you really should price your work accordingly!  Also, bear in mind the organisers do want to give you an opportunity for your work to been seen and hopefully to be sold – so the presentation of your art does matter.

The Next Steps?

If you are selected to the 2nd round of judging in an Open Competition you are often required you to send your actual piece of work. If you are remember these points:

1. Ensure your work is properly packaged. We often get a lot of damaged work sent to us due to poor packaging. Don’t worry, often if it is damaged it will still be considered and the judges will know it will be repaired, should it be selected for the exhibition.

2. Present your work in the best way you can possibly afford. Remember, unlike some other open competitions we have some very large prize monies you could win and the opportunity to show your work at some amazing venues. So, the extra bit of expenditure could be worth it!

How to enter

Please visit: National Open Art Competition for details on how to enter. The deadline is Midnight 6 July 2014. I hope that many of you will enter and that I will be meeting you at the Artists Evening.

Artist of the Month: Ben Skea

Ben Skea

My work primarily focuses on my interest in unknown nature.  I create mixed media works that explore spatiality and movement.  I use the drawn line as an instrument for generating space and architecture. All my projects explore my interest in rational instinct and geometric constructions based on intersecting lines and patterns juxtaposed with photographs and video.

I have used computers for many years, so it feels very intuitive for me to create images directly into a computer screen with the use of a digital pen and tablet. Working this way, has allowed me to develop my own set of virtual brushes and mark-making tools that mimic and expand upon traditional printmaking techniques. I’m also a member of the Glasgow Print Studio, where I can print out digital images directly onto high quality fine art paper. Currently, I am creating a series of digital images that introduce hand-drawn pen and watercolour elements after printing.

‘Distillery’, the digital print shown at this year’s Cork Street Open, was part of a larger body of work called ‘Trace’ that includes a 9 minute video projection. I found the inclusive nature of the Cork Street Open, with its diverse selection of categories, ideally suited to contemporary artists working digitally who wanted to exhibit their work alongside painting and sculpture.

Discover more of Ben’s work here: www.benskea.com

Artist of the Month: Nicki Gwynn-Jones

Nicki Gwynn-Jones

I have entered the Cork Street Open Exhibition three times now and have been successful twice.  I very quickly realised that the judges respond to a strong personal style and in my experience the public does too – it is obvious to the viewer when you speak with passion and from the heart.  For me entering has been a positive experience, in part because of the professionalism of Kathryn and her team, but also because it has given me the chance to try my luck in the ‘big wide world’, away from the safety net of Open Studios.  I’ve had to make sure that my story has been strong and my presentation immaculate – it focusses the mind wonderfully!

My photographic career began in 2007 and stemmed from my obsession with birds.  Bewitching in their ‘otherness’, their powers of metaphor have always intrigued me.  I have always felt that there was something elemental in their spirit and it was thanks to a couple of ‘happy accidents’ with the camera that I stumbled upon a way to convey this.  I realised that by shooting into the light I could distil the subjects down to their purest form, forging an intimate connection with the birds and emphasising their essence.  With this method a minimum of post-processing is required.

My impressionistic landscapes are an attempt to transform the scene in front of me into something evocative and poetic, more of a feeling than a seeing.  Using slower shutter speeds, intentional camera movement and by allowing the camera to move with my breath I feel that I am able to connect with the landscape on a more powerful level.  I use a neutral density filter and apply a contrast boost in post processing, but no other effects are used.

In May this year I was awarded a Fellowship in Visual Art by the Royal Photographic Society.

Discover more here: www.abirdseyeview.co.uk

Artist of the Month: Gaynor Perry

Gaynor Perry

I’m an artist working primarily in photography, painting & music. Entering into competitions and open exhibitions is an excellent way to bring your work to a wider audience and exhibit in galleries you may not ordinarily have access to.  Being in a group exhibition can also be a very liberating experience as you are under no pressure to carry the whole thing off, as you might be in a solo show.  So you can thoroughly enjoy yourself and meet new people. One thing to watch out for when entering photography competitions is that some simply want to have access and use of your images without having to pay.  But there are awards & competitions who are sound and do not exploit artists; the Terry O’Neill Award and the AOP Awards, for example.

I would recommend entering competitions and open exhibitions, the cost of entering is well worth the experience.

To discover more of Gaynor’s work visit: www.gaynorgaynorperry.blogspot.co.uk

 

Artist of the Month:

Eva Kalpadaki

“What are our expectations from Photography? In my practice, I am not using the photographic medium to produce a record and a document of our world, which is what we usually expect to see in a photograph. I am not following the straight, rigid, parallel lines of conventional approaches to the medium. I am using it to question the nature of photography and to cause a tension in what we are looking at. I am playing between representation and abstraction. Working in a field of tension between photography and painting, between photography and drawing I am exploring the fluidity and endless possibilities of one line in whichever direction it takes me. I am producing photographs that become diachronic objects of aesthetic contemplation.

Cork Street Open Exhibition is the latest of all the open exhibitions I have entered so far. It has been a great experience for me to exhibit in such a prestigious gallery street in London. Open Exhibitions are an excellent opportunity to show my work and get it noticed by curators, art critics, art buyers, collectors and the general public. Either my work is complete or still in progress, open exhibitions can become the platform to test how it is received. Even if I am not selected for the final exhibition, having submitted my work is still useful for me because I know that it has been viewed by a panel of judges and art professionals who might consider it in a different context in the future.”

Discover more of Eva’s work visit: www.evakalpadaki.com

5 Top Tips from the OE Editor

Sarah gives us her top tips when entering open exhibitions, from her experience running and overseeing Cork Street Open Exhibitions.

1.  RESEARCH

Only enter a competition that you have thoroughly researched and is suitable for your work and style.  Check out the previous winners and hung artists – is your work the same quality or level, are there examples of artists working in similar mediums, and if not, try to find out why – is it because there just weren’t many good entries or does it just not suit the exhibition?  How large is the exhibition space, is your work likely to fit physically?

2.  BUDGET

There are many expenses above and beyond the initial entry costs.  Photographing, Framing, Mounting and Presentation, Transportation are just a few to name, don’t forget about the extras.  Plan around this, when’s payday?  Put money aside.  Timing is key!

3.  PHOTOGRAPHY

The importance of a good photograph of your work is key – I cannot state this enough!  It is the way your artwork is initially judged and selected.  I’m not saying you need to go out and spend loads on having professional photographs taken, I’m saying invest in a decent digital camera, it’s worth it.  It will work wonders for you as a professional artist.  Think about Lighting, Backgrounds, Focus and Colours.

4.  DETAILS

It is so easy to fall over simple entry details.  Complete and accurate information always helps, don’t leave anything to chance and make sure it is all legible!  You are responsible for making sure all parts of your entry is accurate, complete and timely.  Don’t get this part wrong!

5.  FRAMING AND PRESENTATION

Initial viewings and shortlisting are based on your submitted imagery, but the final selections are mainly chosen with the work ‘in the flesh’.  It is crucial at this stage that your work is presented to the highest standard.  Don’t cut corners on framing and mounting work, if your work is worth entering, it is worth the best framing and mounting that you can afford.  Better framing also puts your artwork at a higher advantage of selling if it is hung.

Artist of the Month: Nicky Callaby

Nicky Callaby

“I have been creative throughout my whole life, working in a variety of different and mixed media and tending towards literal representation.  I started working with the theme self-injury during my MA (2008-2010) where my current practice became more about the importance of creating understanding and debate than producing commercial art.  My work is predominantly textile based although, for the past three years, I have also been working with fused glass.

This is the first year that I have applied to open exhibitions because of the sizing and framing limitations.  It was also difficult to decide which category to put my work in and several places that offer prizes only asked for specific media.  I found that, just as with applying to any gallery, my subject matter was a bit unnerving for some, and this plus the ‘textile’ element of my work put me into a very select market.  Finding the Cork Street Open was a blessing for me, I think, with their links to charities and interest in the diverse they have a more open mind when it comes to selecting work.”

Discover more of Nicky’s work here: www.nickycallaby.co.uk